# Calling the Cues: Stage Manager Powerhouses Take The Roundtable

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Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-roundtable-with-robert-bannon-6608267/calling-the-cues-stage-manager-powerhouses-take-the-roundtable.md
Podcast: [The Roundtable with Robert Bannon](https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-roundtable-with-robert-bannon-6608267)
Published: 2026-05-04T12:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://traffic.megaphone.fm/BPNET2579926722.mp3?updated=1777862734
Audio file: https://traffic.megaphone.fm/BPNET2579926722.mp3?updated=1777862734
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Duration seconds: 1889

## Resource

A deep dive into the high-stakes world of professional stage management, focusing on the precision required to execute hundreds of technical cues. Industry leaders share insights on navigating pre-production, managing artistic vision, and maintaining order behind the scenes.

## Highlights
- Main idea: Stage management is a balancing act between technical precision and managing human dynamics
- Practical takeaway: Use pre-production to learn the 'language' of designers and directors before rehearsals begin
- Failure mode: Neglecting the importance of networking and proactive communication can stall career growth
- Technical insight: A single performance can require managing over 700 individual lighting and sound cues
- Leadership lesson: Effective stage managers act as the 'connective tissue' between the director's vision and the technical execution

## Topics

Stage Management, Technical Theatre, Broadway Production, Theatre Leadership, Pre-production, Live Performance, New Play Development, Backstage Operations

## Chapters
- 1:00 — The Scale of Chaos: The guests introduce themselves and reveal the staggering number of technical cues managed in their recent productions.
- 8:00 — The Art of Technical Leadership: A discussion on the responsibility of ensuring both the cast and the technical crew are supported and organized.
- 11:00 — Navigating Artistic Consensus: Exploring the challenges of maintaining organization while managing the evolving creative needs of a production.
- 16:00 — Pre-Production and Vision: A breakdown of how stage managers conduct artistic reconnaissance to align with directors and designers months in advance.
- 23:00 — Building the Production Team: Understanding the hierarchy and collaborative roles within the backstage crew.
- 26:00 — Career Growth and Networking: Advice on the importance of professional networking and proactive outreach in the theater industry.

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## Transcript

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